The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A serious crash in Vero Beach led to felony DUI charges against an off-duty sheriff’s deputy.
The warrant lists charges of DUI involving a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.15 or higher, and DUI involving serious personal injury. Blood-test results received by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office reportedly showed the deputy’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.246, which is more than three times Florida’s legal limit.
The arrest report said the deputy showed signs of impairment including a faint smell of alcohol on the his breath in addition to looking dazed, lethargic, and drowsy. It was also noted that he periodically dozed off. It was reported that when he discussed the incident he told investigators he drank a few beers earlier that evening.
The crash happened on March 1 just before 11:30 p.m. The deputy was off duty and driving an unmarked sheriff’s office pickup when it collided with a Chevrolet Equinox carrying a woman and an infant. Police reported that the pickup was driving 28 mph over the posted speed limit. The deputy entered the intersection on a green light, and the Equinox driver entered against a red light.
Both drivers were injured in the collision and taken to a nearby hospital. The woman suffered a traumatic brain injury, but the infant was not hurt.
Vero Beach police are leading the criminal investigation, and the sheriff’s office has paused its internal review. It was reported that the sheriff’s office put the deputy on administrative leave on September 15.
A felony warrant was issued in October, and the deputy turned himself in the same afternoon. He was booked into the Indian River County Jail at and released from custody after posting a $15,000 bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a DUI offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.